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Published on Friday 27 May 2022

The bunting is up, the cakes are baked and the drinks are on ice, but if you’re at a loose end this half term and Jubilee bank holiday here’s our guide to some of the best events and activities taking place in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

There is a whole programme of events and activities to enjoy with friends and neighbours over the four days to mark The Queen’s 70-year reign. Over 300 street parties and Big Jubilee Lunches have been planned. There will be Beacon lighting in each town by the mayors, joint fireworks in the bay, and the TV broadcast of London’s Trooping the Colour, Service of Thanksgiving, concert and pageant,

Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Vibrant Places said:

"Platinum Jubilee is looking like it's going to be an amazing weekend with events, activities and parties taking place all over. With so much going on, I hope everyone can find a way to join in. So, break out the flags, put up the bunting and enjoy yourselves!"

If you are staying local, there are a huge number of events to choose from. Beacon lighting by the mayors will take place in each town at 9.45pm on Thursday 2 June followed by simultaneous firework displays which can be viewed anywhere along the promenade or the clifftops overlooking Bournemouth and Poole bay.

With the Jubilee celebrations falling into the end of the May half term week, there’s also Christchurch Food Festival and Poole Seafood Festival taking place. From 2-5 June, enjoy local produce at Christchurch Food Festival, with delicious street food, bars, craft drinks, free entertainment and cooking demos. If you love seafood, pop to Poole Quay 3-5 June to find a champagne and oyster bar, top chef demonstrations, live music all weekend and of course the best in local fresh seafood.

And if sport and music is more your thing, Bournemouth 7s, known as the sporting Glastonbury, is back at East Parley in Christchurch serving up some of the best sport by day and an impressive multi-genre musical treat by night.

Smaller events will also be popping up across the three towns. In Christchurch there is a Free Children’s Tea Party aimed at under 12s to enjoy circus workshops, stilt walking and magic shows, plus music and dancing. Come and meet Peppa Pig at 2Riversmeet Leisure Complex on Thursday 2 June at the Free Family Fun Day.

In Bournemouth, you can celebrate in style at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, with afternoon tea on the cafe terrace, overlooking the garden and sea (pre-booking essential). Or you can join in at Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne on Sunday 5 June and enjoy music and entertainment, fun and games, competitions, and a range of refreshments.

Poole will be celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a series of entertainment and events in the town centre, running from 28 May until 5 June.

With 15 miles of beach available you may want to hire a Beryl Bike so that you can be sure to find a quiet spot away from everyone else and get a lungful of fresh sea air on the way.

With so many events happening and the Jubilee celebrations coinciding with half term it’s more important than ever to plan your travel in advance. All local road closures are published on the traffic management system, One Network and our advice is to get registered on the system now and see all the planned Jubilee road closures in plenty of time.

If you’d rather not waste precious time struggling to find a parking space catch the Park & Ride Beach Bus from Kings Park for only £5. Free Buses leave every 15 minutes from 9.00am and you will be conveniently dropped right by Boscombe Pier.

If you are attending a street party, get in the mood with colourful decorations and accessories. Union Jack flags are essential too! And if you are hosting a street party and want to ensure a risk-free celebration the Food Standards Agency has tips on their website for making food for large numbers of people safely.

If your half term plans involve a picnic on one of our many beautiful heaths remember that the fire alert is still quite high despite the recent rains. BBQs and fires are not permitted on heathland and if a fire is spotted call 999 immediately.

For more information about events and activities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as well as the rest of the UK use the interactive map on the Platinum Jubilee website.

Whatever your plans are and whatever event you choose to be at, we hope you have a royally good time!

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